Mystery Classmate 119

Congratulations to Lori Haas Baccari, Marc Schanfarber, Pam Van Cara Collis, Donna Andreas Copley, Dave Weidenhammer, Nancy Ondick Hahn, Ted Smith, Andy Moss, Lisa Smith, Doug Mackay, Jean Ward Dunnivan, Rhonda Gigliotti Fiore, Kelly Mazon Sauer, Greg Markantone, Karen Campbell Ricci, Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, Michele Sherer Ancheta, Cheryl Mehalic, Sharon Wasko Skoff, Kira Kenyherz Bartlett, Beth Chufo Nichols, Linda Wolff, Chad Calabria, Lynn Abt LeBlanc, and John Plack, who correctly identified Doug Battaglia (’84) as Mystery Classmate #119 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Doug lives in Columbus, Ohio, and works for Honda Motor Company. Rhonda Gigliotti Fiore, whose husband went to Pitt with Doug, reports that his family just grew on July 7 when his second daughter Angelina was born. Congratulations Doug!

Many classmates had nice things to say about Doug. Pam Van Cara Collis remembered that she grew up just down the street from Doug.

Ted Smith wrote, “Who can forget that Plymouth Barracuda? The unreliability of which surely made him look for work at Toyota.”

Andy Moss wrote, “I recall playing soccer with Doug, seems that he was usually sharing defensive duties with Craig Davis, catching all the charges that I let go through the midfield.”

Chad Calabria remembered that Doug was a nice guy and super funny.

Lynn Abt LeBlanc remembered that Doug always had a nice smile and a great sense of humor.

Donna Andreas Copley reported that her first kiss was with Doug’s brother Frank.

The picture was taken at the Class of ’84 reunion picnic and several classmates remembered seeing him there, where he was a big hit with the kiddies. Michele Sherer Ancheta reported, “The kids had a blast chasing him and getting him wet with water balloons. Also, my daughter, Ella found his cellphone in the grass and won the grand prize of $1. She couldn't stop talking about it!”

Linda Wolff added, “My daughter, age 10, said that he is really cool. A note to Doug.. You turned out to be a real nice guy.”

Lori Haas Baccari thought he looked cute with his baby bottle.

Doug Mackay noted that “it looks like he is still trying to figure out if beer or formula is better for his soccer game.”

Those who hadn’t attended the picnic thought that Doug looked exactly the same.

Andrew “Bearsy” Plack came close, guessing Frank Battaglia. Brian “S.D.” Stevenson, Paul Rodgers, and Stu Cohen guessed Gregg Bobick. Dave Weidenhamer also considered Greg Bobick before guessing correctly.

Karen Campbell Ricci considered Chris “Crinkle” Kennedy before guessing correctly. Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli took a wild guess and selected Tim Henry, although she didn’t think the hair was right. Ellen Lin guessed Stu Cohen. Dave Holmes guessed the actor Paul Rudd.

Mystery Classmate 118

Congratulations to Mark Koutavas, who correctly identified Omar Lateef (’82) as Mystery Classmate #118.

In case you were wondering, Omar is a Scion Certified Salesperson at Fred Anderson Toyota and Fred Anderson Scion in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Anderson Automotive Group is a world class retailer dedicated to excellence in automotive sales and service, whose mission is to improve the lives of our employees, customers, business partners, and communities by providing automotive service with the highest level of quality, convenience and customer satisfaction.

Rich Reschoff, Michelle Osterholm, and Stu Cohen guessed Melvin Coburn, Jr. Stu added that “he sat behind me my senior year and was one of the funniest human beings I ever met.”

Jerry Koutavas guessed Cleveland Furby, adding, “Cleveland showed me early on that I had no ability to rap and for that matter carry a beat and to stick to piano lessons.”

Donna Andreas Copley thought that Omar looks “like a black Vince Oddo.” Karen Campbell Ricci agreed.

Mystery Classmate 117

Congratulations to Marc Schanfarber, Dave Holmes, Pam Matthews, Tabitha Husted Riggio, and Jeff Buchanan, all of whom correctly identified Ed Pogozelski (’84) as Mystery Classmate #117 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Ed is a physics professor at the State University of New York – Geneseo, where he is known as Dr. Pogo. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon in 1988, Ed was employed at Westinghouse Electric Corp. for two years, where he worked on the design and manufacture of U.S. Navy nuclear refueling equipment. In 1990, he left Westinghouse for graduate school and earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University in 1996. Before coming full time to SUNY-Geneseo, Ed taught at several colleges in the Rochester area, including SUNY-Geneseo, RIT, and Houghton College. While not teaching, Ed has done consulting work with Delphi Automotive and HydroAcoustics, Inc., both in Henrietta, New York. You can find more information and another picture on his web page at http://www.geneseo.edu/%7Epogo/.

Several classmates shared fond and unique memories of Ed. Jeff Buchanan and Marc Schanfarber both pointed out that Ed finished out his high school time at Turtle Creek, after the Woodland Hills merger sent Eastmont and other Wilkins Township residents to the Crick.

Dave Holmes and Pam Matthews remembered that Ed was Pam’s prom date, and offered to share a picture of Ed with a rubber chicken on his head and his hand between two pillows, but only if Ed agrees.

Tabitha Husted Riggio also remembered Ed and the rubber chicken, and bowling. We need details, people!

Later, Tabitha elaborated, “The four of us went to the prom together, Dave (Holmes), Pam (Matthews), Ed, and me. After the prom we went bowling and up to my cottage in Ligonier (God rest its soul). We were so tired from staying up so long that absolutely everything was hysterically funny. (Just for the record, there were no sex, drugs, or alcohol involved.) I remember someone throwing a deck of cards in the air and thinking it was the funniest thing in the world. Pam had probably brought the rubber chicken and that too seemed very funny at the time - and somehow still does! Some of the best memories I have are from high school...wonderful friends and wonderful times...”

Amy Petrina guessed Matt Myers. Steve Falvo guessed Greg Germ. Dave Weidenhamer guessed either Kevin Germ, Charlie (David) Kotler, or Ben Williams.

Donna Andreas Copley and Karen Campbell Ricci agreed that Mystery Classmate #117 looked like Jeff Spaeder, but it couldn’t have been Jeff Spaeder, because Karen saw Jeff in church and he looked nothing like that today. Anyway, he went to Central Catholic. His younger brother Tim is a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins.

On a related note, Jennifer Taylor Brandeis considered guessing Tim Spaeder but decided not to. Jerry Koutavas guessed Mike Zanic, noting that he is of Greek descent.

Mystery Classmate 116

Congratulations to Colleen O’Connor Casey and Ken Van Cara, both of whom correctly identified Tina Schadle (’87) as Mystery Classmate #116 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Tina writes:“Hey. That’s me. Tina Schadle Dover '87. I assume my sister is to thank for submitting that fabulous shot of me and my daughter Sophie.

“I guess it would now be appropriate for me to give you a brief update. I graduated from Boston University in 1991 and moved to Philadelphia, where I spent several years working as a waitress before stumbling into insurance.

"I made my way back to Boston in 1997 and worked for a regional insurance company specializing in Healthcare Liability until July, 2002 when my daughter was born. I returned briefly to Pittsburgh from July 2002 until December of this past year. I currently live with my husband Roman and three-year-old daughter Sophia (pictured) in Newton, Massachusetts and work for AIG in Boston as a Healthcare Professional Liability Underwriter. (It's not nearly as boring as it sounds, but I won't expand on it any further).”

Carrie Schadle added some interesting trivia. “My sister was in Churchill's last graduating class, and my dad was in the first (whatever year that was--i forget--'65 maybe?).”

Ken Van Cara shared a fond memory of Tina. “Tina was a very very cool person--we had a lot of fun senior year,whether we were just driving around in Chris Petrauskas' car, kidnapping Rebecca Canobbio, neglecting to kidnap Pam Rodgers or disturbing Paul Shapera's neighbors while he was attempting to have a clandestine party while his mother was out of town. Paul, hope the statute of limitations has passed on that old feud.

“I think Tina stayed in Boston after college. Very interested to know what she's doing...she was a very smart person and has probably been developing a new DNA transplant therapy or something equally impressive.”

Jamie Kracsun McBride guessed Carrie Schadle. Rich Reschoff guessed Carrie Schadle, or Beth “TGIF” Chufo.

Pam Matthews and Dave Holmes guessed Beth Wilson. Donna Andreas Copley guessed Leann Impavido. Deb Faskow Feller guessed Laura Urbanic.

Paula Recchio Joseph guessed Gretchen Grindle. Jerry Koutavas guessed Brigid McDermott.

Mystery Classmate 115

Congratulations to Lisa Smith and Lynn Abt LeBlanc, both of whom correctly identified Ted Smith (’84) as Mystery Classmate #115 (despite the poor resolution of the photo) and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Ted currently lives in Louisville, KY with his wife Jane and sons Andrew (age 5) and Christian (age 2). Ted is SVP and General Manager of the Business Publishing division of CNET Networks. According to Ted, he discovered Mystery Classmate when Jerry Koutavas, also in the computer industry, called on Ted’s company for a partnership. Ted left high school for Allegheny College, then on to grad school at Miami University of Ohio where he received a Masters and Ph.D. in Cognitive Science. Then off to MIT for a two-year post-doc. Ted spent his grad and post-grad years working on space life sciences. His research was ultimately selected to fly on the space shuttle Columbia in 1998 where several astronauts proved that wearing a head mounted display in microgravity makes you feel downright sick. Ted left MIT to run an R&D group at Accenture in Chicago; then was off to run a start-up company in Minneapolis when that was fashionable in 1998, which led him to the CNET division in Louisville in 2000. Through all of this, Ted has stayed in regular contact with Craig Davis - a friendship forged with ice cold Genesee Cream Ale which he is sure is no longer part of the 8th grade experience.

Fellow classmates shared fond memories of Ted.

Lisa Smith wrote, "No, we're not related, but we had a heck of a lot of homeroom classes together! Good guy!"

Lynn Abt LeBlanc wrote, "I had his name tag at the reunion and we walked in at the same time! I never did get a chance to talk to him after that. I hope I am right!"

Nancy Ondick Hahn buzzed in late and wrote, "When I viewed photo #115, my first thought was that it was Ted Smith. Then, I thought it wasn't because Ted was our diligent yearbook photographer and he would have sent in a different (ie. better quality) sort of head shot or something! Although we have lost touch through the years, I have MANY fond memories of our friendship throughout high school. We covered a ton of miles in his brown Pinto! I also recall a few of those Genesee Cream Ale gatherings on the Edgewood Country Club Golf Course! I'm so happy to hear how well he's doing and I'm sorry I missed seeing him at our latest reunion."

Greg Markantone guessed Jerry Koutavas. Jerry Koutavas guessed Danny Kun.

Andrew "Bearsy" Plack wrote, "That looks like my brother-in-law, but since he's never even been to Pittsburgh, my second guess is Joe Delanko. "

Lori Haas Baccari guessed Ted Showers. Ted Showers and Paul Rodgers both guessed Max Headroom.

Beth "TGIF" Chufo wrote, "No guesses... Looks like one of those modern "pictures" at the Carnegie Art Museum."

Mystery Classmate 114

Congratulations to Ann Broadberry Johnson, Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, Ted Showers, Steve Landay, Ken Van Cara, Paul Rodgers, Rebecca Canobbio Abel, and Dave Weidenhamer, all of whom correctly identified Steve Falvo and Mike Snyder (’88) as Mystery Classmates #114 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

Half credit to Joe Caprara and Brian “S.D.” Stevenson, each of whom identified Mike Snyder.

In case you were wondering, Donna Andreas Copley provided the following rundown:

“Hey, I know those guys (maybe because I sent in the photo from my sister)! That's my nephew Sleeven Falvo and Mike Snyder - 1988! I have no clue what Mike Snyder is up to - ask Sleeve! Sleeve is doing well these days, but don't ask me what he does... I think he's going back in the military again soon. He served in the 1st Gulf War in the army. I met his girl friend Mary when I was home over reunion weekend (I did "family reunion" instead of the Saturday '84 reunion dinner). She was very nice and so was her daughter - she has to be super nice to put up with Steve! I know Steve likes to sky dive - he sent me some videos of him in the sky. Steve has not procreated yet - maybe that's a good thing??!! At least my sister Stef ('67) has two other grandkids from Vikki ('86).”

Steve Falvo later checked in with the following:

“Mike is married to Laura and living in NJ and working as a computer guru with Dow Jones. They have a dog named Murph that likes to attack Steve.

”Steve is living in a cardboard box under an undisclosed bridge in Pittsburgh and is currently waiting on military orders. I'll be leaving for training in the fall or at the beginning of 2006.

”I'm not sure where the photo was taken. I usually don't remember too much when I'm with Mike. It was probably at the ‘Spring Fling’ in 2004.”

Several classmates shared fond memories of Mike and Steve.

Ann Broadberry Johnson remembered that they were both “such nice, great guys.” Maribeth Mahoney Misitis recalled that they were “two really, really nice guys. They made a cappella choir fun! Glad to see they are still great friends.”

Steve Landay wrote, “I'm glad to see that Falvo is no longer wearing camouflage pants!” Brian “S.D.” Stevenson noted that Snyder is still drinking "fruity beer." Dave Weidenhamer found it odd that there's only one beer in the picture.

Ken Van Cara expounded at length. “Oh, the stories I could tell about Mr. Falvo --some of which involve band, choir, and those sorts of wholesome activities, but many more of which involve drinking beer, and running from the police. In particular, there was an incident at Lions Park in which poor Mr. (Dave) Grejda was captured by Johnny Law. I also remember the day that Steve, Mike and I formed a short lived garage band in Mike Snyder's garage, called "The Jimmy Kwiecinski Has No Friends Band." Sorry, Jim, not sure who came up with it, but it seemed hysterical at the time. Falvo on drums, Snyder and Van Cara on guitar, and, I think, Joe Dallas on bass. Also remember many years of Turkey Bowl football games at Koch Park. In particular I remember Steve coming back after his first stint in the Army--he was approximately a foot and a half taller than when he left and he was hell bent on 'kicking some commie butt.' All in all, Steve was an awfully nice guy and a good friend and he's probably softened his stance on "commies" a good bit. Although, who knows? 1988 was a long time ago...”

Linda Wolff didn’t guess, but noted correctly that the fellows are younger than us. Jerry Koutavas guessed Brian Behler and Kevin Kurpecky.

Mystery Classmate 113

Congratulations to Pam Van Cara Collis, John Plack, Cheryl Mehalic, Kelly Mazon Sauer, Mary Bender Knight, Pam Pristas Dwyer, Lisa Smith, Michele Sherer Ancheta, Linda Wolff, Beth Chufo Nichols, Chad Calabria, Monica Keane Sauk, and Duke Johncour, all of whom correctly identified Damon Johncour (’84) as Mystery Classmate #113 (in the red visor) and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Damon attended Geneva College after graduation and played football for one year. Over the next several years he attended a number of other schools including Waynesburg College and Harmarville Training Institute for orthotics and prosthetics. In 1988 Damon moved to Dayton, Ohio to take a position with Fidelity Orthotics and Prosthetics as a technician. He worked there for three years and decided it was time to move up the ladder.

Over the next year and a half Damon took full time classes at Sinclair Community College and worked waiting tables and bartending. He met his wife Cindy McManes, from Xenia, OH, and they were married in 1993. Damon moved to Dallas, Texas (the state where he was born) to finish school, and in 1995 earned his bachelor of science in Kinesiology, with a minor in Business and Public Relations at the University of Texas at Tyler. Two weeks after graduation Damon started classes at Northwestern Medical School in Chicago for the certificate program in Orthotics & Prosthetics. He completed his studies and a residency program specializing in Pediatrics in 1998.

Damon provided the following helpful definitions: Orthotics - The bracing of limb anomalies and correction of diseased and broken limbs. Halo application, scoliosis bracing correction, bracing for Cerebral Palsy, Mylo Mengioseal, CVA (strokes) etc. Prosthetics - The evaluation, measurements and fitting of artificial limbs, upper extremity and lower extremity, for geriatric, traumatic and pediatric patients. Damon and Cindy, with their first son Donald Payton, moved to Raleigh, NC. Damon worked for Professional Orthotics and Prosthetics from 1998 to 2002. Damon then started his own O&P practice in 2003, North Carolina Orthotics & Prosthetics. He now has two offices, in Raleigh and Henderson, NC.

Along the way Garrett Gregory (GG) was born in 2000. And on June 30, Damon and Cindy had their third child, Alania Paige. Damon still enjoys many hobbies, most of all golf. He currently holds a 3.2 handicap at Henderson Country Club. Damon also enjoys coaching his two sons in football and baseball and loves taking his boys golfing.

Several classmates shared fond memories of Damon.Both Linda Wolff and Chad Calabria remarked that it was nice to see Damon at the class reunion. Other classmates intimated that it would have been difficult to recognize Damon, had they not seen him a month ago at the reunion. Duke Johncour noted that “It looks to be the one they used to call ‘Mo-Mi’ -- or Damon Johncour - not a real tough one for me this week.”

Scott Silverman and Brian “S.D.” Stevenson guessed Dave “Wedge” Grejda. Keith Shipley guessed Mark Shanahan. Amy Petrina Tarantini guessed Sue Kostic.

Paula Recchio Joseph guessed Mike Cenna. Jerry Koutavas guessed Bruce Babich.

Donna Andreas Copley complained about the photo resolution and wrote, “Anyhow, the second from the left looks like a runner I used to know (he died a few years ago from a heart attack - yikes!), the guy on the right looks like a guy named Danny Smith that works at Dupont in Richmond, and the girl on the left kinda looks like Tricia Mielo - remember West Side Story?”

Mystery Classmate 112

Mystery Classmate #112 proved a little too difficult for anyone to identify. He is Anker West (’81).

In case you were wondering, Anker received a BFA in Sculpture from Philadelphia College of Art in 1985, and studied architecture in the graduate program at New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1993 and 1994.

While with Sustainable Design Associates, he was awarded first prize in the Southside Broad Street design competition for Providence RI, 1998. In the spring of 2002, his work was exhibited at the Sumei Multidisciplinary Arts Center in Newark and at the Rhode Island Foundation Gallery.

Anker is currently an instructor at the Arts Guild of Rahway and works as a ceramics instructor with the Studioworks After School Program, Communities in Schools of NJ. He is Associate designer and project manager with Troy West, Architect in Newark. Anker also is involved with Art Reach through Newark's City Without Walls Gallery, acting as a mentor to high school students interested in becoming artists.

Gary Lehman guessed Acty Rindt. Colleen O’Connor Casey guessed Bill Blake. Karen Campbell Ricci guessed Bill Taxay. Jerry Koutavas guessed Bill Stout.

Laura Fleming Schulte wrote, “Well, normally I would have given up at at my first guess, Mr. Kotter, but because Dave Kotler looked so much like himself in last week's picture, I figure I have to try harder. So, if I take away some hair, the beard, and trade the button down for a t-shirt, it sort of looks like Stuart Cohen contemplating a block-by-block world takeover. How did I do?”

Celesta Bjornson Van Sickel guessed John Kracsun, adding, “It’s that hair! I am pretty darn sure that is John. You would think I would know for sure since I dated him for about two years after high school!”

Leslie Rush Cuda didn’t guess, but complained that Anker was too far away. Linda Wolff also declined to guess, but praised the photo, noting, “He’s an artistic fellow!”

Some classmates got a little silly with their guessing. Stu Cohen guessed Gabe Kaplan, or the Unabomber. Pam Van Cara Collis guessed Gene Shalit. Ted Showers guessed Steven Spielberg. Milton Koutavas guessed Rupert from Survivor. Greg Markantone guessed Charles Manson. Brian “S.D.” Stevenson guessed Mr. Lloyd.

Mystery Classmate 111

Congratulations to Coleman Brennan, who correctly identified David Kotler (’86) as Mystery Classmate #111 (well, not really, but more on that later).

In case you were wondering, it was originally believed that David is an attorney with Dechert LLP, based in Princeton, New Jersey. He was thought to be a partner in Dechert's financial services and securities litigation group, advising and representing clients in a wide range of complex corporate and commercial litigation matters involving the financial markets, contracts and business torts. It was claimed that he represented a number of clients in class actions arising from the purchase/sale of securities and in derivative actions.

David was thought to be a member of the Bars of New York and New Jersey and admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the District of New Jersey and the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Second, Third, and Federal Circuits; and the Supreme Court of the United States. He was believed to be a member of the American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Trial Evidence Subcommittee (Case Columnist).

Finally, it was believed that David holds a B.S. from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law, where he was Staff Editor of the Annual Survey of American Law.

Coleman Brennan considered Bob Bender before deciding on David Kotler. Greg Markantone guessed Stanley Kuznicki. Bill Stout guessed Ken Shriber.

Paul Rodgers guessed Len Rinchiuso. Scott Silverman guessed Alan Checca. Debbie Faskow Feller guessed Ed Roeder.

Amy Gongaware Senkow guessed Brad Drago. Donna Andreas Copley guessed Ken “Mr. 300” Fetsick. Jerry Koutavas could not decide between Craig “Faygo” Prentice, Scott Rosenfeld, Ross “Ducky” Finestone, and Jim Davliakos, whom Jerry noted is of Greek descent.

Dave Weidenhamer considered Monte Moreschi, and then decided it was Rosario Colucci. Finally, after several mojitos, Dave amended his guess to Hank Azaria.

One week later, after the identity of Mystery Classmate #111 was revealed, Steve Landay wrote, “Who told you this was Dave Kotler? Were there TWO David Kotlers in our school? Because the ONLY one I knew sat right in front of me in Home Room and I'm still friends with him today. Who the HELL is this guy??? HAHAHAHAHA”

I sent Steve a link to the website where I found the David Kotler pictured, and added, “You might have been able to convince me that it's not Kotler, except that Coleman guessed him, and as I remember that is what he looked like. At least the David Kotler I knew. Maybe there are two? In hopes of resolving this I am ccing Coleman AND David Kotler on this email. Why not forward to the other Kotler, if there is one, and we all can debate it.”

We never heard back from Coleman, or from the attorney David Kotler, but after a few more rounds of email, I received the following:

“Hi everyone, this is (David) Kotler, Churchill Class of '85. I have two sister Kotlers who also went to Churchill ('83 and '81), but as far as I know, I am the one and only David A. Kotler who went there. (The originally pictured) Kotler, the successful attorney from New Jersey, is obviously taking advantage of our name, similar good looks, and age to make people believe he is me. This is quite understandable given my current part-time employment status as operations manager for the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh!

”Coleman, I'm flattered you attributed such success to me, but...

”I will send a recent picture soon to show the resemblance (despite my current long hair and goatee)!”

The second photo is the real Kotler.

In a related development, Tabitha Husted Riggio wrote, “David Kotler was a very nice guy - from my bus stop. It is nice to see that he is successful.”

Mystery Classmate 110

Congratulations to Joel Borellis, Bob Smith, Amy Chufo Prezelski, Milton Koutavas, Jim Thompson, Tina Schadle Dover, Scott Silverman, Colleen O’Connor Casey, Erin Burgard DiPerna, Mary Bender Knight, Megan Mahoney, Betsy Raible Ford, Ann Broadberry Johnson, Karen Campbell Ricci, Rebecca Canobbio Abel, Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, and Bill Stout, all of whom correctly identified Kristin Burgard (’87) as Mystery Classmate #110 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Barbara Bender Pietro sent the photograph along with this report:

“Kristin is still as hilarious and driven as she has always been, and is a brilliant conversationalist who looks the same as the day she graduated from high school. She has a precious two-year-old daughter named Katie, for Kristin's mom, who is the sweetest little girl. Katie is also verbally gifted and keeps us in stitches with her comments about things. Kristin's husband, Paul Mayer, is a great guy, and he and Kristin seem to have a lot of fun together. They live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Kristin works part time for Wayne State University, as a grant-funded consultant to small business owners in the area. She helps entrepreneurs to connect to the resources they need in order to grow their respective businesses. Kristin is one of the most genuine and wonderful people I know!”

Other classmates had nice things to say about Kristin. Megan Mahoney added, “Besides the fact that she is looking very much like she did in high school, she is an easy pick because she's now my step-sister-in-law. It has been a blast this past year getting re-acquainted with Kristin, Erin and Kara, and meeting their spouses and children. My children are thrilled to have gained their first cousins on the Thompson-side. At recent holiday gatherings I have been enjoying Kristin's sense of humor and ability to laugh at herself - an important life-skill in my book!”

Amy Chufo Prezelski wrote, “We took computers together with Ms. Ritts. I would’ve never survived without her!! We also got to swim together and experience Coach Bass.” Ann Broadberry Johnson remembered, “Kristin and I were homeroom buddies, and we always laughed our rears off together. She prefers to go by the name Sanguita.”

Milton Koutavas called Kristin a fantastic person and a great athlete. Bill Stout recalled that Kristin was a cross-country standout. Jim Thompson added that she is a wonderful stepsister.

Colleen O’Connor Casey noted that Kristin’s daughter “is the image of the Burgard girls that I remember well.”

Kelly O’Connor guessed Kara Burgard. Maribeth Mahoney Misitis wrote, “I am going to guess one of the Burgard sisters, not quite sure which one!”

Donna Andreas Copley guessed Clara Carretta. Jerry Koutavas guessed Tracey Barbarino.

Beth Chufo Nichols did not guess, but thought that Kristin looked familiar.

Later, Bill Stout wrote, “I recall going to the prom with Jennifer Taylor and double dating with last week’s mystery classmate, Kristin Burgard and Lenny Rinchiuso. I think we rode in Lenny's dad's car. I remember, well, being very, very nervous most of the evening.”

Editor's Note: Len's dad Vince smoked these very smelly black cigars, and left the remains in the car ashtray. I think the cigars were Sicilian. Len used to get in trouble for throwing the butts away, and also for changing the radio station.

Donna Andreas Copley wrote, “While I failed to guess correctly, doesn't Kristin look a little like Clara (Carretta)? Yes, I do agree that she does look like herself too and maybe I should have studied the photo a little more before guessing! Anyhow, I knew her from cross country and she was great......she made my last year much more enjoyable. I remember her mom being so nice to all of us and sooooper supportive. Hey Kristin, drop me a line sometime!”